Aston Villa head to Newcastle on Saturday, at the beginning of what is becoming an increasingly vital Christmas period.

Remi Garde and his claret and blue squad face three of the five sides sitting above them in the Premier League table over the festive schedule, knowing they need maximum points to stand a chance of a survival push in January.

They'll have to do better than last season's trip to St James's Park, however; Tim Sherwood's first away game ended in a 1-0 defeat in February.

The Magpies are in buoyant mood having taken six points from two games.

Gregg Evans will be providing you with coverage, build up, analysis and reaction from the home of the Toon.

Key Events

Full-time: Newcastle 1-1 Villa

Ayew’s stunning second-half strike cancels out Coloccini’s first-half opener. An improved performance from Villa and a deserved point but is it enough? The gap is now ten points.

19:17

Perez misses!

Sissokho easilt gets past Bacuna and sets up Perez but his floated effort flies over the bar and Villa escape. Both teams have had their chances to win this game,

19:15

Great save from Elliot

Veretout whips in a teasing corner for Gestede who powers a header at goal but Elliot somehow tips it over.

19:11

And another booking

Westwood runs over to the touchline to change his top but he returns onto the pitch without the referee’s signal. As a result he’s cautioned.

19:07

The game is opening up

Really exciting game now. End-to-end and both sets of supporters are getting right behind their team. It feels like a cup tie. Do or die for Villa, I suppose.

19:06

Another caution

Ayew booked after a tangle with Janmaat. He held onto the ball as the Dutchman tried to take a throw-in. Silly stuff.

19:03

Booking for Bacuna

The Dutchman fouls Perez as he charges forward. He’s been poor today and deservedly goes into the book.

19:03

Good defending

Veretout chips the ball into the box as he looks for Gestede but Newcastle do well to clear.

19:02

Free-kick

Thauvin chops down Hutton as he surges towards the box. Good opportunity for Bacuna or Veretout to test Elliot with the free-kick that is about 25 yards out and centrally positioned.

19:01

Chance for Newcastle

Perez crosses for Wijnaldum who should do better from 12 yards out but his weak effort is easily held by Guzan.

18:59

A point isn't good enough

18:57

Final change for the hosts

70 - Thauvin on for Anita.

18:57

Ayew causing havoc

The on-song forward wriggles his way past Coloccini and looks to cut the ball back into the box but it’s cut out and well defended by Newcastle.

18:52

Villa almost take the lead

Gestede so close to reaching Ayew’s teasing delivery but the big man just fails to make a connection as the ball flashes across the face of goal. All Villa now.

18:49

Stunning strike

Villa equalise through Ayew. Veretout crosses deep into the box where Ayew collects. He spins towards the edge of the box and then smashes a stunning strike into the top corner. A brilliant goal, and the moment of magic that Villa needed.

18:48

1-1 (Ayew, 61)

Wow! What a goal from Ayew.

18:47

Gestede almost makes an immediate impact

Hutton floats a cross into the big man but his header is tipped over the bar by Elliot. What an introduction that would have been!

18:46

Villa substitution

Gestede on for Sinclair. Time for a different threat.

18:46

Change for Newcastle

58 - Perez on for De Jong

18:44KEY EVENT

What a miss!

Wijnaldum crosses for De Jong who is left completely unmarked by the lazy Bacuna but he heads wide from five yards out. It should be 2-0, game set and match.

18:38

Chance for Ayew

The Villa striker slams over from the edge of the box as Newcastle fail to clear Veretout’s free-kick. Better from Villa, they’re starting to make a fist of it.

18:36

Substitutes warming up

Looks like Gestede has received the signal to get ready for action. Gil and Adama also warming up.

18:34

Let-off for the visitors

Sissokho scuffs his effort from just inside the box when he had a clear sight at goal. Fortunate.

18:33

Veretout denied

The Frenchman shoots from outside the box but his effort is palmed away by Elliot. Bright start from Villa.

18:32

Second half underway

No changes at the break. Villa must change their approach, though. They must get back into this game.